Each year, many people living in Germany as migrants, choose to become citizens. One of the steps to becoming a German citizen is passing the German citizenship test. Read on to find out more.

One in every 4 German residents is a migrant. In 2017, roughly 19.3 million people in Germany had a migrant background. This means that at least one of their parents was not born as a German citizen. Of the 19.3 million people, 14% had roots in Turkey, 11% were from Poland and 7% were from Russia.

Why Becomes a German Citizen?

There are a few benefits that aren’t applicable to permanent residents but are applicable only to citizens. Some of these opportunities include:

The right to apply for any job in Germany

The right to vote

The right to move freely

The right to consular protection

The right to become a civil servant

How to Become a German Citizen?

German citizenship can be attained by naturalization, by being born on German soil or by being born to German citizens. To be eligible for citizenship by naturalization, the applicant must:

Have lived in Germany with a residence permit for at least 8 years

Have lived in Germany with a residence permit for at least 7 years and have attended an integration course

Be proficient in German to at least B1 level

Be able to support himself/ herself and his/her family financially

Have a clean criminal record

Be a law-abiding citizen

Pass a citizenship test

Must renounce any earlier citizenship

German Citizenship Test

The German citizenship test is a one-hour written test that consists of 33 multiple-choice questions. The questions on this test are based on German society, laws, rules and living. At least 17 questions must be answered correctly to pass the test. The only people exempted from this test are:

Individuals under the age of 16 years

Individuals who cannot take the test because of an illness, disability or old age

Individuals with a degree in higher education from a German university in law, politics or social sciences

German Citizenship Test – Sample Questions and Answers

Here’s a sample of the type of questions you may expect:

Q1. Which country shares a border with Germany?

Hungary

Spain

Portugal

Switzerland

Correct Answer: Switzerland

Q2. German citizens can openly criticize the government because

They have religious freedom

They have the right to vote

They pay taxes

They have freedom of speech

Correct Answer: Freedom of Speech

Q3. In Germany, parents of a child can decide whether or not their child attends ——— classes in school until his/her 14th birthday.

History

Politics

Religion

Language

Correct Answer: Religious Classes

Q4. What is the German constitution called?

The People’s Law

The German Law

The Federal Law

The Basic Law

Correct Answer: The Basic Law

Q5. What is meant by the right to freedom of movement in Germany?

Individuals can choose where they want to live

Individuals can convert to another religion

Individuals can switch jobs

Individuals can walk around in public

Correct Answer: Individuals can choose where they want to live.

Q6. The Federal Republic of Germany has ———

12 districts.

An East and a West state.

16 federal states.

16 free states.

Correct Answer: 16 Federal States

Q7. The Federal Republic of Germany is one of the founding members of

NATO

The European Union

The United Nations

The Warsaw Pact

Correct Answer: The European Union

Q8. The first chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany was ———

Konrad Adenauer

Helmut Schmidt

Kurt Georg Kiesinger

Willy Brandt

Correct Answer: Konrad Adenauer

Q9. What was German currency known as until 2002?

Deutsche Mark

Deutsches Geld

Reichsmark

Reichsgeld

Correct Answer: Deutsche Mark

Q10. A social market economy refers to an economy that is ———

Based solely on demand and supply.

Based on foreign demand.

Planned and controlled by the state.

Based on demand and supply, but the state maintains a degree of equality.

Correct Answer: Based on demand and supply, but the state maintains a degree of equality.

On clearing the German citizenship test the individual is given a Naturalization Test Certificate. A copy of this certificate may then be sent to the Naturalization Office where the application was first sent. It is important not to send the original document.